Altra BSN, RN

Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU

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All Content by Altra

  1. Altra

    Impossible standards

    Altra replied to canoehead's topic in Emergency

    I've taught a course on ESI triage, and have never encountered any documentation that recommends q 15 min. vitals for ESI 3 patients. Very few patients require q 15 min. vitals beyond an initial...
  2. Altra

    Officially giving up

    Altra replied to CuddleFox's topic in General Nursing

    I strongly advise against this, as it demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of WHY an employer would seek an experienced nurse for a position vs. being willing to consider a new grad. Student...
  3. Altra

    Patient Care Checklist/Sheet

    Altra replied to KNRN2013's topic in Emergency

    "Brain" sheets are rare, almost nonexistent, in the ER because patients are ideally there for a short time, and there is no routine. Most do not get fed. Most do not get a blood sugar checked....
  4. Altra

    Do Mean Girls make Mean Nurses

    Altra replied to CSARmedic's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    I'm a bit perplexed at an adult male of middle age, having years of combat experience, using a USA Today article recounting the behavior of 12-14 year old girls as a parallel for his work experiences....
  5. Altra

    Do you have 30 minutes for lunch?

    Altra replied to Kurious RN's topic in General Nursing

    45 min. lunch, 9 days out of
  6. Altra

    being a pregnant nurse in the ED?

    Altra replied to BrooklynRN11201's topic in Emergency

    I have worked with a dozen or more nurse, medic, PA/CRNP and physician coworkers who were pregnant. Most worked until nearly their due date, and those that didn't had pregnancy-related issues...
  7. Altra

    Nursing School Bag - Vera Bradley

    Altra replied to musaafirah's topic in General Students

    I realize I'm a bit late to this party but ... I work with an intelligent, sensible nurse who *personalizes* her appearance quite a bit. At least once a week a patient or family member stops and asks...
  8. Altra

    What are your pet peeves?

    Altra replied to forgop's topic in Emergency

    Y'all don't have
  9. Altra

    Hey guys! Laptop, tablet, or plain old paper, pen, and clipboard?

    Altra replied to dsingson5's topic in First Year After Licensure

    Agree with above -- would not plan on using electronic devices. However, you may very well be given a binder, booklet or packet with check off sheets, articles to read, tests, etc. ... and there will...
  10. Altra

    medical abuse?

    Altra replied to sfaithj's topic in Patient Safety Issues

    As the OP relates this experience, it appears to have occurred in an acute care setting. Obtaining a urine specimen now as opposed to several hours from now can be important in starting antibiotics...
  11. Altra

    What are your pet peeves?

    Altra replied to forgop's topic in Emergency

    The phrase "I know my body and (fill in the blank with a normal finding that they insist means that they are imminently going toward the light)". The phrase "my doctor said it (some current or past...
  12. Altra

    ACLS - Nursing Student

    Altra replied to thelittledoe's topic in Emergency

    I would not advise a student to pay out of pocket for ACLS or PALS -- you need a solid foundation in rhythms and pharmacology of code drugs, and the courses are set up for largely team learning. Each...
  13. Altra

    Changing code status to DNR/DNI

    Altra replied to Lev's topic in General Nursing

    It reduces the chances that there will be a messy end to what hopefully has been 95 years of fruitful life
  14. Altra

    Staffing Ratios in Nursing Homes (for Arizona)?

    Altra replied to Miley22's topic in Arizona Nursing

    37 states do regulate nursing home staffing -- here's a state by state summary. It came up prominently in a google search -- hopefully OP has found it....
  15. Altra

    New Graduates who don't welcome feedback

    Altra replied to Majain2013's topic in Emergency

    The OP's comment about "putting on my educator cap" leads me to believe she may be a dept educator and/or preceptor ... which does make her directly responsible for new orientees'
  16. Altra

    Staffing Ratios in Nursing Homes (for Arizona)?

    Altra replied to Miley22's topic in Arizona Nursing

    You can google "nurse ratios in nursing homes in
  17. Altra

    Losing my religion

    Altra replied to jadelpn's topic in Spirituality, Religion

    While I do not disagree with the overall content of your post, OP ... some of what you cover reflects your own personal view/faith expression/understanding. Telling another nurse that "they don't...
  18. Altra

    Is nursing killing me :/?

    Altra replied to pheonixRN's topic in General Nursing

    Arrhythmias can develop at any age. You took a sensible first step in eliminating caffeine, and it appears now being evaluated appropriately. Good luck to
  19. Altra

    Dosing calculation for Ceftriaxone 400 mg IM

    Altra replied to gigi607's topic in Nursing Student Assistance

    Your vial has 500mg of Ceftriaxone in it. You could add any volume of dilutent to it -- the concentration will then be 500mg in ______ mL. (however many mL of dilutent was added) So think about your...
  20. Altra

    Nursing Documentation: Court says charting only abnormal findings unacceptable

    Altra replied to NRSKarenRN's topic in Legal

    That charting was ... just not intelligent. I understand that in LTC settings a full set of vitals including SpO2 may not be obtained every day, let alone every shift. But if there is a physician...
  21. Altra

    Band 6 emergency department nursing interview

    Altra replied to Charlieandlola's topic in Emergency

    In an emergency - trauma or other bleeding - in the U.S. the patient is going to get O- blood. Gender does not matter -- that was a distractor thrown into the question to test whether you understand...
  22. Altra

    How Long Does This Order Last?

    Altra replied to skittlebear's topic in General Nursing

    You'll get your most accurate answer from a pharmacist/pharm tech, not a nurse, as this is a dispensing question, not an order question. I doubt it's valid to write for refills "prn" -- a precise...
  23. Altra

    Cringe worthy follow up Note

    Altra replied to MrChicagoRN's topic in Job Search, Interview, Resume

    As a hiring manager, if this is what this applicant's communication looks like ... what is his day-in, day-out nursing documentation going to look like? Is it going to make apparent this same lack of...
  24. Altra

    Manager elicits complaints from patients

    Altra replied to babysteps25's topic in Patient, Colleague Relations

    Completely agree with posts above -- she's setting unrealistic expectations for patients, nurses, and herself. She'll predictably burn out her staff and herself in a very short time period. Be aware,...
  25. Altra

    Honestly, what does documentation get you?

    Altra replied to Sassy5d's topic in Emergency

    I'm not sure exactly what you're asking, OP. As I was up close & personal with substance abusers pretty much non-stop yesterday for 12 hours, I can certainly relate to that frustration. But the...